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Scorching Tuscan bike ride lauded for contribution to UK drinks industry
Cyclists who raised £35,000 for charity after enduring a gruelling four-day bike ride under the Tuscan sun have been recognised for their contribution to the UK’s wine industry.
Andrew Hawes picked up the award at an event in London last week.
The event, dubbed the Giro di Toscana, was organised by Mentzendorff managing director Andrew Hawes, with a string of UK wine industry stalwarts signing up to take part, including db‘s Editor-in-Chief, Patrick Schmitt MW.
It was the 10th challenge its type, and smashed its fundraising target of £20,000 to make a new record total of £35,000 for drinks trade charity The Benevolent.
Hawes’ efforts helped him to win recognition with one of the oldest institutions in the UK dedicated to the wine trade.
The Giro di Toscana won the Vintners’ Benevolent Award for Fundraising event of the year. Hawes received his prize at an event in London earlier this month organised by the Worshipful Company of Vintners; one of the oldest Livery Companies of the City of London, thought to date back to the 12th century. The Vintners’Company’s motto is Vinum Exhilarat Animum, which is Latin for “Wine Cheers the Spirit”.
Ross Carter, Andrew Hawes, and Michael Saunders at the Vintners’ Company Wine Trade Lunch in aid of The Benevolent on Friday 10 January.
Other participants included Chris Mathews from Berry Bros & Rudd and Matthieu Barrère from Provençal wine producer Estandon, along with members of Mentzendorff, and some representatives from supporting Italian wineries, such as former pro cyclist Paolo Bianchini, from Montalcino’s Ciacci Piccolomini.
The challenge, which ran from 24-28 June, coincided with a heatwave across southern Europe, with daily highs surpassing 40 degrees Celsius.
Patrick Schmitt wrote daily updates during the ride, which can be read by clicking on the following links, should you be interested in a more detailed account of the ordeal.
WINE TRADE DOES GIRO DI TOSCANA: DAY 1 – THE MAREMMA
WINE TRADES DOES GIRO DI TOSCANA: DAY 2 – MAREMMA TO MONTALCINO
WINE TRADE DOES GIRO DI TOSCANA: DAY 3 – STRADE BIANCHE
WINE TRADE DOES GIRO DI TOSCANA: DAY 4 – IL FINALE VIA FONTERUTOLI